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Texas tree varieties

Gary Chapman

Gary Chapman

Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Messages
244
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Location
Madison, Indiana
What different types of wood are particular to the texas area that we don't have in Indiana? I have a friend going there and is looking for something new and different.
 
tell him to get some of that oak hehe
 
Gee, Gary, that might be a rather exhaustive question to answer other than the few obvious ones like mesquite and Texas ebony. Maybe if you list all of the trees where you live, we could know which ones not to mention. The Texas A&M website has a fairly thorough listing, but you might have to wade through a lot of data to sift out what you are looking for. Anyway, the link that I provided will give you something to chew on. Just scratch off the ones that are found on your area. I would be surprised if any of the trees in the TAMU list would be so limited in their range that they are Texas only. Maybe we could put Andy in charge of organizing that list for you. 🙄 (I'm just kidding, Andy)
 
charlie knighton said:
tell him to get some of that oak hehe
Click to expand...

Charlie, you're just downright evil, but despite the hardness of post oak, it is one of my favorite woods to turn because of its beautiful figure.

Here is one of my favorite post oak turnings -- a burl that is as hard as nails. Even the borers had to get crowns on their teeth because of the hardness of the wood. I completely wore out two carbide cutters hollowing this thing. It flew off my lathe once and bounced all over the shop and never suffered even the slightest scratch, but it did damage a granite table and an anvil. 🙄

_MG_3529.jpg
 
also depends on where in Texas he's going. likely not going to find much mesquite around Dallas.

I'd be looking for mesquite, huisache, Texas ebony (very hard to find anything larger than a pen blank), pecan
 
Shawn Pachlhofer said:
also depends on where in Texas he's going. likely not going to find much mesquite around Dallas.

I'd be looking for mesquite, huisache, Texas ebony (very hard to find anything larger than a pen blank), pecan
Click to expand...

Actually most of the largest mesquites in Texas come from north Texas including the Trinity River bottom that goes through Dallas and Fort Worth. Some of the largest mesquite trees that I have seen have come from an area close to DFW International Airport.

Unfortunately, most people in Texas think that mesquite is only good for barbecue wood.
 
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merry xmas Bill, from one oak turner to another
 
Bill Boehme said:
Actually most of the largest mesquites in Texas come from north Texas including the Trinity River bottom that goes through Dallas and Fort Worth. Some of the largest mesquite trees that I have seen have come from an area close to DFW International Airport.

Unfortunately, most people in Texas think that mesquite is only good for barbecue wood.
Click to expand...

really? I was not aware of that.

I like pecan and hickory for BBQ (smoking) wood. Mesquite is too bitter...but it is great for grilling steaks.
 
Hmmm--Texas Woods- Kind of depends on what part of Texas--
I'd say get some Mesquite--it's really nice to turn & doesn't matter if it's green or dry. Although dry Mesquite will generate a lot of dust. I'd differ with Bill on sizes of Mesquite trees and would have to say the bigger ones are around here & I had lived in his area for several years--before discovering turning.
Another wood--Huisache is nice to turn, but rare in trees big enough to turn--the ranchers say it with a sneer--pretty thorny and is as bad as dandelions as far springing up in places. It has a really nice orange hue, but unlike Mesquite will move quite a bit if turned green and it dries hard.
Post Oak is nice, but Live Oak is really hard and heavy and can be a chore to turn--but rewarding.
Hackberry is nice too--but think you have that in your area, but does get big around here.
I also have some Anaqua-(Sandpaper Tree) or as my friends call it "Knockaway" haven't turned it yet--all I can say is that the wood is white, but hard.
Another for your list--Agarita--but I've only seen a few turnings from root balls-- mainly known for it's berries and prickly stems and leaves.
I have yet to find any ebony or ironwood--but I'm looking.
Cedar Elm comes to mind also--it does grow in many regions, makes nice turnings.
Almost forgot--Pecan--ubiquitous to most of Texas, and Cypress- pretty, light colors (what I've turned) & turns easily& while I'm thinking about conifer types--Cedar as it's called in Texas (actually Juniper) makes for nice fragrant turning, pretty colors-red, browns, yellows, white--but tends to split easily
If you get to my neck of the woods--be happy to show/share some of what I have.
I know there are more and will have to look at the A&M site.
 
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David Hill said:
Hmmm--Texas Woods- Kind of depends on what part of Texas--
I'd say get some Mesquite--it's really nice to turn & doesn't matter if it's green or dry. Although dry Mesquite will generate a lot of dust. I'd differ with Bill on sizes of Mesquite trees and would have to say the bigger ones are around here & I had lived in his area for several years--before discovering turning.
Another wood--Huisache is nice to turn, but rare in trees big enough to turn--the ranchers say it with a sneer--pretty thorny and is as bad as dandelions as far springing up in places. It has a really nice orange hue, but unlike Mesquite will move quite a bit if turned green and it dries hard.
Post Oak is nice, but Live Oak is really hard and heavy and can be a chore to turn--but rewarding.
Hackberry is nice too--but think you have that in your area, but does get big around here.
I also have some Anaqua-(Sandpaper Tree) or as my friends call it "Knockaway" haven't turned it yet--all I can say is that the wood is white, but hard.
Another for your list--Agarita--but I've only seen a few turnings from root balls-- mainly known for it's berries and prickly stems and leaves.
I have yet to find any ebony or ironwood--but I'm looking.
Cedar Elm comes to mind also--it does grow in many regions, makes nice turnings.
Almost forgot--Pecan--ubiquitous to most of Texas, and Cypress- pretty, light colors (what I've turned) & turns easily& while I'm thinking about conifer types--Cedar as it's called in Texas (actually Juniper) makes for nice fragrant turning, pretty colors-red, browns, yellows, white--but tends to split easily
If you get to my neck of the woods--be happy to show/share some of what I have.
I know there are more and will have to look at the A&M site.
Click to expand...
David,
Thanks fgor your help. I would love to come to Texas for wood but just can't convince my wife of it. A friend is visiting there and is looking for a few pieces for me. Gary
 
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